Press

IDG Executive Forums Announces The Security Standard

— Business and Technology Leaders Converge to Share and Explore Best Practices in Building Secure Companies and Industries

— Cisco and Microsoft on Board as Principal Sponsors; John Chambers to Deliver Keynote Address

IDG Executive Forums today announced its newest event, The Security Standard, a two-day conference that will bring together an exclusive audience of senior decision makers — from both corporate and IT management — to focus squarely on the business challenges surrounding information security.

The conference will take place September 6-7, 2006 at Boston's Hynes Conference Center.

The two Principal sponsors for the event are Cisco Systems Inc. and Microsoft Corporation. Intel Corporation has signed on as the first Platinum sponsor along with a number of early commitments for Gold sponsorships from such companies as Altiris, Inc., ArcSight, Cybertrust, eIQnetworks, Inc., IBM, Lancope, Inc., nCircle Network Security, Qualys, Inc., RSA Security Inc., Trend Micro, Inc. and Websense, Inc.

Led by co-executive producers Bob Bragdon, CSO magazine publisher, and John Gallant, Network World president and editorial director, The Security Standard will leverage the editorial expertise and market reach of IDG's extensive portfolio of industry-leading media companies, including CIO, Computerworld, CSO, InfoWorld and Network World.

"The collective insight from myriad IDG business brands combined with the seasoned experience of major security solutions providers guarantees a can't-miss event," said Pat McGovern, founder and chairman of International Data Group. "Unlike other events that promote narrow technology agendas or dwell on low-level 'bits-and-bytes' concerns, The Security Standard will discuss the most effective strategies being employed today to transform security into a true business enabler for leading companies."

John Chambers, president and CEO of Cisco, is scheduled to deliver a keynote address on Thursday, September 7 to the invitation-only gathering of top CIOs, CISOs, VPs and directors of IT and security.

Attendance at The Security Standard will be limited and open to only qualified security professionals. Designed for top security executives from a wide range of industries, The Security Standard will cultivate dialogue amongst business and technology leaders that will strengthen policies and protocols against malicious activity. To request more information on attending or sponsoring The Security Standard conference, go to http://www.thesecuritystandard.net/. Companies interested in sponsoring The Security Standard may also contact Andrea D'Amato at ADAmato@nww.com.

About the Co-Executive Producers

Bob Bragdon and John Gallant are the co-executive producers of The Security Standard and are responsible for leading the event's steering committee and ultimately determining the conference agenda. As the publisher of CSO (Chief Security Officer) magazine, the world's leading information resources for security executives, Bragdon works closely with industry vendors, enterprise security executives, government officials and law enforcement agencies in identifying and addressing the challenges of today's complex security and risk management environments. Bragdon is a member of the ASIS International (American Society for Industrial Security). Under Gallant's executive direction, Network World has been a leader in covering the emergence of networking in corporate America and has become the newspaper of record in the network industry. Gallant has positioned Network World as a true service publication for network IS professionals, providing technology and business news along with a wealth of insight, opinion and analysis designed to help readers manage not only their networks and network-based applications, but their growing budgets and staff.

About IDG

International Data Group (IDG) is the world's leading technology media, research, and event company. A privately-held company, IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers including Bio-IT World, CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Network World, and PC World. The company features the largest network of technology-specific Web sites with more than 400 around the world. IDG is also a leading producer of more than 170 computer-related events worldwide including LinuxWorld Conference & Expo, MacWorld Conference & Expo, DEMO, IT Roadmap Conference & Expo and IDC Directions. IDC provides global market research and advice through offices in 50 countries. Company information is available at http://www.idg.com.